Mary Queen: the title of Marian queenship

The title Mary Queen expresses the heavenly dignity of Mary, glorified at the right hand of her Son. Pius XII, in the encyclical Ad Caeli Reginam (1954), gave this title its theological foundation and instituted the feast of Our Lady Queen (August 22). For the full article: Mary Queen, Queenship and Service.

Biblical foundation

The biblical root of Mary’s queenship is found in the figure of the Gebirah (Queen Mother) of the Old Testament: in Israel the king’s mother had an official function at court, seated at her son’s right hand. Mary, Mother of the Messiah King, inherits this title. Psalm 45 sings: “At your right hand stands the queen, arrayed in gold of Ophir.”

Queenship by association

Mary’s queenship is a consequence of the kingship of Christ: she is Queen because she is Mother of the King. It is a queenship not conquered but received. This distinction is important: Mary does not share Christ’s power by her own right, but by grace and by association with the Son who reigns over all things.

A Queen who serves

The Mariological tradition underscores that Mary’s queenship is not triumphalist but servant-like. She is the Servant-Queen, in the image of the Son who came to serve. The Salve Regina calls her “our Queen and Mother of mercy,” a queen whose authority is exercised through compassion and intercession.

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Magisterium of the Church

Mariam Virginem in altissimum caelestis regni fastigium evectam esse credimus, et Reginam regum ac Dominum dominantium honorandam esse cognoscimus.

Pius XII, Enc. Ad Caeli Reginam (11 octobris 1954)

📚 Literal translation: We believe that the Virgin Mary was raised to the highest summit of the heavenly kingdom, and we acknowledge that she is to be honored as Queen of kings and Lady of lords.